Linotype-machine.



No. 702,783. Patented June 17, I902} P. TIDDDGE. LINOTYPE MACHINE. (Applidation flleiMar, 24, 1902.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR fiv v of the bar, so that it may fall therefrom.

distance.

' UNITED STAT PATENT Orricn.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF WVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTl-IA-LER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LlNOTYPE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 702,783, dated June 17, 1902.

' Application filed March 24, 1902. Serial No. 99,706. (No model.)

vented a new -and usefuhlmprovement'in Linotype-h lachines,'of which the following is a specification. M

This invention relates to an improvement in matrix v-distributing mechanisms, such as are used inthecommercial linotype-tmachines of the presentday. In these machines; the distributer, as shown in United States Patent No. 436,531, consists of-a-horiz'ontal bar having its lower edge of a V-section provided on the sides with a series of longitudinal teeth adapted to enter corresponding toothed notches in the upper-ends of the matrices, which are thereby held in suspension as they are carried lengthwise of the bar. bearing different characters differ from each other as to form, and the teeth of the distributer are variedto correspond at different points in its length, so that each matrix is held in suspension until it arrives at a point where it is to enter the magazine, when for the first time it disengages from all the teeth the commercial machine the feed-screws are driven continuously and the matricesare advanced withoutinterruption alongthe distributer-bar. The length of each group or section of teeth on1the bar is about a quarter of an inch, and each matrix must disengage and escape from the barwhile traveling this In practice it is found that when the machine is running at high speed there is sometimes a tendency on the part of the matrices to overcarry, or, in other words, to pass beyond the point at which they should escape, and to reengage the bar, which results in their being carried to an improper point in the magazine or in their being carried entirely through the machine.

The object of my invention is to overcome this difliculty by givinga pause or dwell to the matrices at the "point of delivery. To this end I engage the-feed-sorews to reciprocate endwi se, moving them backward once in each revolution at a rate corresponding to the forward pitch or trend of the threads, so that for the moment they cease to move'the matrices forward. The parts are so timed and Matriceswise to and fro.

arranged that this actionoccurs-while the matrices are in positionsbetwee'n the ends of the teeth,; or, inother words, in positions to escape r from' the distributor-bar. :I-The eflect .isto'permit each'inatrix' tocease its forward travel When'it arrives at the proper point to be released, so that it will haveam'ple time ;todisengage' from the bar below the follow ing matrices before the screw; again acts to "efiect 'thefadvance. It will be'ob'served 'that "by'the'arran'gement described I am enabled to impart an intermitting advanceto the matrices by the employment ofcontinuously-re volving screws. V

In the accompanying drawings I have .shown only such parts of a linotype-machine as are necessary to an understan'ding'of my invention.

Figure 1 represents a. sideelevation of a distributor mechanism with my improvement embodied therein. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same on the line 2 2. Fig. 3 is a side elevation similar tor Fig. 1, showing one end of the screwson a larger scale.

struction and*' arrangement except that the screws'instead of being mounted as usual are made withilongerjournals andleft free to slide in an axiala direction. Each screw 1s provided near one end'with a concentric cam H, having a circumferential groove therein to receive a fixed stud or roller I, so that at each revolution of the screw it is moved end- The groove of the cam is of such form that when the-matrices are in position for discharge thecam efiectsabackward movement of. the screw 'equal -or substantially equal to the forwardpitch of the thread thereon, the effect beingito neutralize the action which the threadwouldoth'erwise have on the matrix, so that for the moment.

the matrix is permitted to stand still. As

so that it will reengage the matrices which are not discharged and continue their ad- Vance along the bar. During a portion of the revolution the matrices will advance, not only by reason of the pitch of the threads, but also by reason of the entire screw being advanced bodily. In this way the matrices while in motion will be advanced more rapidly than they are by the ordinary screw running at the customary speed.

By means of my improvement I am enabled not only to insure the delivery of the matrices from a distributer-bar having teeth of the ordinary length, but by reason of the dwell of the matrices at the points of delivery Iain permitted to reduce the length of the teeth of the distributer'bar with safety, and thus to distribute a greater number of matrices by a bar of given length.

While my rotating and reciprocating feedscrews are intended more particularly for use with a distributer-bar of the specific form shown, it is manifest that they may be used with equal advantage for feeding matrices or type in any other form of distributer.

WVhile I recommend the employment of the cams herein shown as a simple and satisfactory means for reciprocating the screws longitudinally, it will of course be understood that they are not of the essence of my invention, but that any equivalent means may be employed for effecting said movement.

IVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In a distributing mechanism, a feedscrew and means for imparting thereto an axial reciprocation and a continuous rotation.

2. A feed-screw and means for imparting thereto an axial reciprocation and a rotary motion in one direction.

3. In a distributing mechanism, the combination of a toothed distributer-bar to hold the matrices in suspension, a plurality of feedscrews adjacent thereto, and means for rotating said screws and moving them axially.

4. In a distributor in combination with a distributer-bar, rotary feed-screws lying parallel therewith, cams carried by said screws to effect their longitudinal movement, and fixed studs or rollers engaging said cams.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 20th day of March,1902, in the pres ence of two attesting Witnesses.

P. T. DODGE.

Vitnesses:

JOHN F. GEORGE, M. A. DRIFFILL. 

